[Gil'dae Cheb] Gifts and Requests (Cala, Pre-Veil & GF'd)

[Larien Gil'dae]

36th brightening of the month Imperos, in the Season of Autumn
Era II of the Celestine Mandate, Era XIV Post Fractum.

Since returning to the Cheb, Larien had yet to meet with her cousin Calairiel... for many reasons. It had been great sorrow that had brought the young woman to Syl'rosya at the end of spring quite a few months ago, but it had been a bittersweet love and a throbbing need that had kept her there for the majority of the time since. Cala had surely been busy in the running of the House, among other things, but in truth, Larien could have gained an audience with her had she merely tried. Larien had not tried. When the news of Motito's death had reached her all in the way in Natura, not but a few brightenings after she had been rescued by the band of ruffians that had held her captive for a full era, the elven woman had been devastated. Motito had been the closest thing she had ever had to a brother -- even now that she knew she did, indeed, have two brothers -- and she had loved him dearly.

Then, once her fiance Venn had admitted that he had found another woman in her absence, Larien had realized that all she had left in the entire world was her family in Syl'rosya. So, to Syl she had fled, running from the hurt, the pain, the confusion... and into the arms of those who had shown her kindness in the past despite the fact that she had had little to do with them. Once learning of her Gil'dae heritage, she had taken up the family name, yes, and had even visited for months at a time, but her involvement with the elvish House had ended there.

Yet, even when she had arrived at the Cheb, she had been reluctant to seek out Cala. The pain of Motito's death was still too fresh a wound in her heart to spend time in the company of Tito's twin. Looking upon her cousin Fenn was even too much for her at times, for every time she laid eyes upon his platinum hair and quicksilver gaze, she couldn't help but see Motito. But finally, Larien had come to terms with the death of her beloved cousin. It was time to see Cala once again and to apologize for her blatant avoidance of the other with a gift. After a quick trip to the Silk Web Weaver to pick up said gift that Larien had ordered a few brightenings before, the young elven woman was ready to see her cousin. Making her way to the other's study with the parcel tucked up under her arm, Larien smoothed out the skirts of her brown dress in an almost nervous manner as she floated along the hall, her slippered feet silent upon the rugs. Pausing outside the door, Larien knocked three times and then waited for a few moments before cracking the door slightly and peeking her head around. "Calairiel?" She lilted quietly, her eerily light green eyes flashing as the young woman graced the other with a slightly tentative smile. "I come bearing a present..."

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

Things had been hard around the Cheb…and Calairiel understood this. She knew Larien was there…but she also knew that many were dealing with the death of the Heru of Starshadow…her twin, Motito. She was dealing with it in her own way…and on her own time, but she had to be strong for the House.

She was of two minds about Larien’s continued isolation but ultimately decided to let her cousin come to her when she felt she was ready….which ended up being a much longer time then she had anticipated but that was okay. All in due time.

It was with a beautiful smile that Calairiel greeted Larien when she poked her head into the Arwen’s office.

“It’s about time you came to see me, Larien. Staying away for extended periods of time is not good for you…or me. I missed you.”

Folding her cousin up in a warm embrace, she took her hand and led her to the nearby couch, lowering herself gracefully. In gazing at her cousin, Larien would notice that Cala was just barely beginning to show the tell-tale signs of being with child. The gown Calairiel wore was cut just above her growing belly, highlighting the fact that she could no longer wear her other gowns….at least not until she gave birth.

Squeezing her hand gently, she smiled and caressed Larien’s face.

“ I know you’ve been through so much…but please, don’t ever feel that you can’t come to me. You are my family and therefore, part of my heart. We need to be strong together.”

[Larien Gil'dae]

As Cala welcomed her warmly into her study, Larien felt her nerves calm considerably. Matching her cousin's smile with a sunny one of her own, the young woman embraced the other in a one-armed hug -- her other arm being preoccupied with the parcel she carried with her. Her pale green eyes took in the sight of her cousin's growing belly as they broke from their embrace and immediately, Larien pondered if it would have been better for her to purchase some dresses for her cousin that she could wear during her pregnancy. If only she had had her measurements... Larien herself had at least a few gowns cut in the "empire waistline" style that Cala could surely borrow should the need arise. They were of a same size -- excluding the other's growing midsection -- and the young elven woman would not object to lending the garments to her dear cousin. She would have no need of them, especially since she had just purchased three new gowns for herself for the cooler months. Velvet would be much warmer than cotton or even silk.

Lowering herself to the couch with Cala, Larien looked a little sheepish at her cousin's words. "I apologize... I did not mean to stay away for so long," she lilted, her eyes sparking sadly as she looked into the quicksilver gaze of the other woman. She looked so much like Motito... except prettier, of course. More feminine and graceful. Once upon a time, Larien would have envied Calairiel her looks, for the young woman herself looked nothing like a Gil'dae. With her auburn hair and green eyes, she could never be recognized as one of the elven House on looks alone... but Larien had come to terms with her un-Gil'dae appearance long ago. She was only the bastard of the family, yes, but that didn't mean she couldn't carry herself with pride all the same. She was a Gil'dae, no matter how she came into being.

"And I missed you... but you look well," Larien's features glowed as she gave her cousin a wide smile, truly happy to see her. Cala's gentle caress was such a kind gesture and the young woman felt herself tear up slightly in response. It had been long since she had received such kindness and the fact that it was from one such as Calairiel made it all the more special. The Gil'daes were all Larien had left. "But, I have brought you a present to make amends." There was a quiet playfulness dancing behind the elven maiden's eerily light green gaze as she laid her parcel in her lap, her slender fingers moving quickly to unwrap it to reveal the present she had bought for her cousin. The cloak was made of the softest of velvets, dyed a light green and lined with warm, white fur. Threads of silver had been embroidered in a burst of elvish design across the back. A simple silver clasp would secure the garment when it was worn. Unfolding it, Larien held it up for Cala to see before handing it over to her cousin. "It isn't much, but I hope it will keep you warm in the months to come."

Smiling, Larien then settled her hands into her lap, gazing upon the other woman with a gentle fondness that she reserved for those within her family. Only a few eras ago, she had been resentful of her bastardness... but then, slowly but surely, Larien had realized she loved the Gil'daes. They had accepted her, despite everything, and it was the least she could do to accept and yes, even love them in return. "I also would like to offer my services... if there is anything, truly anything I can do for the family and for you, do not hesitate to ask. It would be my pleasure." She had had a lot of time to think since returning to the Cheb and one of the things she had decided was that she would do anything and everything in her power to see their House furthered in the Combine and the empire beyond. It gave her a purpose. It set forth a goal in her mind. At least she could be doing something useful rather than moping about in her room or in the Tawnleaf. "I even..." a faint blush painted itself across Larien's angular cheeks as she lowered her gaze from Cala's momentarily. "I even... would like to make a marriage that would be beneficial to the family. I am free of any prior commitments of marriage and would like to make a match that you would find suitable... a match that could be of use to us." Larien's voice faltered as she spoke of prior commitments, though only slightly. She had had long to make amends with herself over the issue of Venn as well. She had forgiven, yes, she had forgiven. But she could never forget.

"And also, if it's not too much trouble, I was wondering if I could perhaps train with a Gil'dae soldier or guard? I have always wanted to learn to use a longsword and I thought the cycles ahead would be a perfect time for it since I have no other obligations that I know of..."

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

Calairiel smiled as Larien got the things off her chest that she needed to. She had learned long ago that talking out problems was always a healthy way to cleanse them from one. She gave this opportunity to Larien, smiling all the while. The only thing that caused a frown was the talk of an arranged marriage…something the Arwen of Gil’dae did -not- approve of. In her eyes, marriage should -always- be for love and nothing more.

However, Larien was lucky that Cala had other things on her mind, lest she have had to deal with a long discussion regarding the subject.

“The present is lovely, beloved….but was unnecessary. Regardless, thank you. I shall treasure it always. There will be more then enough time to consider a -good- marriage for you…and as for what you can do…there -is- one thing.”

Settling back against the couch, the elf sighed and began to tell her cousin of the dark rumors floating around the Empire.

“ I’ve heard stories…..dark things…..the orcs are up to something. I will be dispatching letters to the Minster of War and Regent, offering what I can from Gil’dae. It won’t be much but perhaps there is something we can do for them. I’ve been looking for someone to accompany them to Alleria Prime from the House, to coordinate with the Minister and Regent…and keep me apprised as well. Is this something you would consider?”

It was a tall order but one that Calairiel could only trust to certain people…and Larien was one of them.

[Larien Gil'dae]

Larien did not miss the frown that crossed Cala's lips at her mention of an arranged marriage. She hated to see her cousin frown like that... but an arranged marriage was truly what the young elven woman wanted. True, it wouldn't necessarily make her happy, but what if such a marriage brought better standing to the House? What if she could make an useful alliance? The elven maiden, as sad as it was, had given up hope of marrying for love. When she did marry, it would be for politics and nothing more. Perhaps love would come of the match in time, but she would not expect to be blessed with such luck at the start. The most she would hope for would be a kind elven lord of good standing within the elvish community who would understand her need for freedom, for adventure, for travel, for the Tawnleaf... for the Gil'daes. When she married, she would not be a trophy. She would be her own person, just with a different family name. But, always and forever, the Gil'daes would remain first in her heart and in her priorities.

They had shown her too much kindness and love over the eras for it to be otherwise.

As Cala mentioned there being something Larien could do for the family, the young woman sat forward even as her cousin leaned back. Her pale green eyes were wide with her alertness as she paid close attention to the other woman's every word. The orcs... Troubling news indeed, but news that had been unknown to Larien until that moment. She had been so wrapped up in the complex beauty of Syl'rosya that she had not paid any mind to the rumors. Larien had been to Prime a few times, mainly to visit with Venn when he had been a senator, and to be honest she hated the place. It was so busy... the air was so close... too many people, not enough trees. She remembered once her old friend Galeron -- the one who had given her the dagger she always wore at her hip -- had warned her that she would not like Prime should she ever travel that way. He had been very right. But Larien wouldn't refuse Calairiel. She wouldn't turn down the chance to be of use to the family.

"I would be honored to do this for you. I can leave as soon as everything is ready... I have no other obligations to fulfill."

[Calairiel Mynendil Gil'dae]

She had been fairly certain Larien would volunteer without question, but she would rather know the young woman’s mind before asking such a thing of her. Nodding softly, she gave her a quick smile and offered a cup of tea.

“ I have no great love for the Empire…but I loathe the orcs more. Besides, the Empire keeps us from having to deal with our enemies full force and until we are ready to do so, provides us with a measure of protection. That will not always be. The safety of this family is my first priority. While you are gone, I will begin making preparations to make sure that we are not caught unaware should things go wrong. I feel that the Combine is…complacent, at this time, and that we’ve lost the desire to protect ourselves from those that would see harm come to us. I won’t allow that to happen.”

In truth, there were many things going on in her mind. So many responsibilities that it boggled her mind sometimes. She welcomed the task but sometimes, she just wanted to throw it all away and take herself and her family away to some remote mountain top, far away from the world.

But no…they had responsibilities…they -all- did.

Perhaps someday.

[Larien Gil'dae]

There was a certain tier to where Larien's loyalties lay. First were the Gil'daes, her family. They were the most important in her mind. Next was Syl'rosya, but more specifically the Tawnleaf where they resided. It had become her home and she would defend it fiercely should the need ever arise. After that was Natura, her birth place and one of her favorite locations to vacation. Sometimes still, the young elven woman considered herself a Naturan. Lastly was the Empire. She had no great love for it either, indeed she had never even met the Regent, but in the same breath, she did not loathe it. She had no reason to loathe it. True, many of her kind looked to the past and sneered at what had happened to them. The 11th Legion probably still would be lurking around had her cousin Motito not had it relocated to Imperia.

But Larien was still very young for her kind and she had been raised away from Syl, instead being brought up as a simple country girl of Natura whose only concern had been making enough crowns to scrape out a decent living. Those past offenses had not been done to her specifically and she did not know of any of her ancestors that had suffered pain or death at the hands of the Empire (though she was sure they were there, somewhere in her family tree). She would look at the present and to the future, but not the past. She wouldn't dwell on the past.

Larien had been to Paxia. She had seen the devastation there... buildings torn asunder, rubble lining the streets, rows and rows of tents where refugees were living while the town was being rebuilt. Those innocent people had been treated abhorrently at the hands of the orcs. If those vile creatures were even considering a repeat performance... Larien would be there. She would not stand by and let those who had done nothing watch their loved ones die and their homes burn. Her conscience wouldn't let her. Her hatred of the orcs wouldn't either.

"I have faith in you," the elven maiden murmured in response to her cousin's words. She trusted Cala's judgement... but a shadow crossed Larien's spirit as she considered the possibility of Syl'rosya being threatened. What if the orcs did move that far north? The young woman would die before she saw her beloved forest swarming with those of that despicable race. True, Larien did still miss her cousin Motito terribly, and she had thought him to be an excellent Heru of their House... but Calairiel was a worthy enough replacement. She did not think her cousin would lead them astray. "No harm will come to these trees and these people while breath still passes through my lungs and blood through my veins," Larien declared passionately, her hands tightening into fists for a few brief moments as her pale green eyes flashed with her emotion. "We will find out what it is they are up to... and crush it immediately."